Candle Accident Caused The John Hancock Fire, Authorities Say

By Kate Shepherd in News on Nov 23, 2015 6:10PM

Hancock Tower fire (Chicago Fire Department/Twitter)

An accident with a candle started the fire that gutted a condo on the 50th floor of the John Hancock building on Sunday, authorities say.

A resident told fire officials that the fire started in his bedroom, according to WGN. Five people suffered minor injuries in the fire, including a Chicago police officer.

Crews responded to the fire around 2:30 p.m., the blaze was contained by about 3:15 p.m. and extinguished by around 4 p.m., according the Sun-Times Media Wire.

Due to smoke and water damage, some of the floor's residents won't be able to move back into their condos until repairs are made.

Here's video, shared with Politico Illinois Playbook, of the extensive damage in the condo where the fire started: